Superman & Lois Season 4, Episodes 1 & 2: "The End & The Beginning" / "A World Without" (SPOILERS)

[DarthSkywalker]

Lois: Chrissy-

Lex: I'm not Chrissy. Chrissy's gone. Budget cuts. So I will be Lex and your new co-worker.

 

[Snow Queen]

What's on your head?!

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Lex Luthor, everyone!

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Sarah: I'm trying to help them get their dad's heart back.

Lana: What's wrong with you?

I don't know Lana. I feel like Sarah's being the adult here.

 

[DCDAVE]

The ending of episode 1 was absolutely heartbreaking. . I can’t believe that they would end the fight like that. DC TV is like a freight train. Wow!!!! This is CW? I teared up…..

 

[Dr.]

Well…

A benefit of the budget cuts and reduced cast is that the narrative seemed more focused. Had this been a “typical” season, I speculate there’d be side plots and melodrama involving Kyle, John Henry, Natalie, et. al. But the downside of budget constraints is that Smallville comes across as insulated and isolated —too small a stage for the action. I.e., it might be imagined that the Death of Superman would be/should be worldwide news. Though, to be fair, maybe that’s coming.

And the “missing heart” business initially struck me as an odd plot conceit. After the first shock of Supes’ death, Lois and the boys seemed to pretty quickly understand that resurrection was feasible by restoring the heart. But while this may have been common knowledge to the characters, I (as audience) felt some vital info/exposition had been skipped over. Admittedly, the search for the missing heart is now a plot MacGuffin. So I guess it works at that level. (I presume that the one destroyed was a fake.) Also: at first, it wasn’t clear to me that Supes was sans heart. (Perhaps the CW decided that a gaping chest wound was too graphic for the network?) And later, when Doomsday delivers the organ to Luthor, I still wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be. It did look vaguely fleshy and gruesome. But not particularly heart-like.

 

[DCDAVE]

What a great two episode premiere. The feels, the fight, and the horror on Lois’s face when she saw the hole in Clark’s chest. Some CW moments but overall an excellent beginning to the finale season.

 

[The Caped Knight]

What a season premiere, I thought once again Elizabeth held her own as Lois, she continues to shine in this series. For a tv budget they certainly did a good job with the fight between Doomsday vs Superman. Man this version of Lex is ruthless and intimidating . I’m curious to see how far he’s going to go to try and destroy Lois and Smallville just to hurt Superman’.

Jordan once again shows he immaturity with his use of his powers. I stand by my statement from the getgo Jonathan should have gotten the abilities.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

Well…

A benefit of the budget cuts and reduced cast is that the narrative seemed more focused. Had this been a “typical” season, I speculate there’d be side plots and melodrama involving Kyle, John Henry, Natalie, et. al. But the downside of budget constraints is that Smallville comes across as insulated and isolated —too small a stage for the action. I.e., it might be imagined that the Death of Superman would be/should be worldwide news. Though, to be fair, maybe that’s coming.

And the “missing heart” business initially struck me as an odd plot conceit. After the first shock of Supes’ death, Lois and the boys seemed to pretty quickly understand that resurrection was feasible by restoring the heart. But while this may have been common knowledge to the characters, I (as audience) felt some vital info/exposition had been skipped over. Admittedly, the search for the missing heart is now a plot MacGuffin. So I guess it works at that level. (I presume that the one destroyed was a fake.) Also: at first, it wasn’t clear to me that Supes was sans heart. (Perhaps the CW decided that a gaping chest wound was too graphic for the network?) And later, when Doomsday delivers the organ to Luthor, I still wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be. It did look vaguely fleshy and gruesome. But not particularly heart-like.

now, would Jordan himself be an option for a transplant?(being at least half Kryptonian) obviously they would never have him make that sacrifice/ nor would Clark/Lois ever want or accept such a sacrifice

but, if it's like a 3 way transplant, like he gives his heart to his Dad, and he gets a donor human heart transplant (but, it would mean giving up his powers as a human heart wouldn't be able to handle it ) so, its like save your Father, but, never be able to use your powers again... kinda Sacrifice (not giving up his live "Sacrifice")

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'm not gonna go into much detail, as it seems like the majority enjoyed it and I don't wanna rain on that parade... but I didn't enjoy it personally.

Quality wise it was a mixed bag for me. Some emotional beats worked, others fell flat. I did like the Smallville locals playing a bigger part, the way the supporting cast was used was decent, and the stuff around the secret reveal was okay, but plot wise... eh. This Lex just isn't my Lex, his victim complex and single minded vendetta feels lame to me, and Clark being dead is just... not my idea of a dream season

I didn't even enjoy the flashbacks as much as I wanted to. They felt kinda cheap and awkward

Anyway. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it!

 

[Dr.]

now, would Jordan himself be an option for a transplant?(being at least half Kryptonian) obviously they would never have him make that sacrifice/ nor would Clark/Lois ever want or accept such a sacrifice

but, if it's like a 3 way transplant, like he gives his heart to his Dad, and he gets a donor human heart transplant (but, it would mean giving up his powers as a human heart wouldn't be able to handle it ) so, its like save your Father, but, never be able to use your powers again... kinda Sacrifice (not giving up his live "Sacrifice")

As someone who was never particularly fond of the “twin sons” premise to begin with, it’s tempting for me to embrace the notion that one of them (Jordan) would nobly sacrifice himself to resurrect Dad — and return Superman to the world. But would the series ever go that dark? Granted, it is the final season. So maybe all bets are off. Go for the maximum drama and pathos…?

Now, your idea of a fanciful three-way heart transplant — by which all the main characters survive — is interesting. However, that route does seem somewhat convoluted and contrived. OTOH, this is a CW superhero show. Contrived plots are kinda the norm.

 

[Pennywise]

All due respect to Marsters...I sincerely hope not.

Was thinking this might be who Cavanaugh's playing.

I had that very same thought too, but i just found this interview where they seemingly confirmed that’s not who he’s playing,

Superman & Lois Name-Drops Huge DC Villain in Final Season Premiere

The character will help Lex Luthor navigate the fallout of Superman's death.

comicbook.com

Spoiler

The second mystery is the role being played by Tom Cavanagh, best known to comic book fans as the Reverse-Flash and Harrison Wells on The Flash. The actor will appear in some season four episodes of Superman & Lois, but his role has been kept under wraps. Is he, famous for being a smart, smarmy villain, going to play Brainiac?

"No, it's not," both Fletcher and his co-showrunner Todd Helbing told me in unison.

"I won't even give that a no-comment. I don't want to set the expectation," Fletcher added, while Helbing promised "We have a fun thing for Tom."

 

[Herolee10]

Given all of the hype and great reviews that the first two episodes received in advance, I'll admit that I came out a little disappointed after watching them.

I don't know about anyone else, but I could definitely feel the budget cuts (e.g., shortened cast) in the first episode. Story-wise, it feels weird that none of the Kent Family would ask John Henry and Natalie to at least help with finding General Sam Lane. Hell, why couldn't Jordan and Jonathan ask Natalie for help in finding Clark's heart?

I also found Lana's response to Clark's death to be.... a bit misplaced in terms of the scene it was shown in. You would think that she would have a bigger reaction when Clark was shown dead or upon arriving at the Kent Farm. Lana's exchanges with Sarah felt off as well (e.g., "What is wrong with you?", "I think Mr. Kent is really dead", etc.).

And couldn't the makeup department do a little better in making the cast look a little younger in the flashback scenes, especially when those scenes take place nearly two decades prior?

But other than those issues, I thought everything else was fine. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to see Brainiac in his full glory to show up on this show. At best, it'll be something very similar to how they portrayed him in "Smallville" (e.g., humanoid appearance).

 

[Spider-Fan83]

...Now, your idea of a fanciful three-way heart transplant — by which all the main characters survive — is interesting. However, that route does seem somewhat convoluted and contrived. OTOH, this is a CW superhero show. Contrived plots are kinda the norm.

aren't we already in that territory, with them beleiving they can just find his heart, shove it back in his chest, and bring him back

 

[flickchick85]

Deleted scene dropped.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Ratings are in...

Premiered to .455k/0.07 viewers

Down 40% in viewers from last year in demo and 30% in live viewers

Superman & Lois: Season Four Ratings + Viewer Votes

We don't have to wonder if Superman & Lois will be cancelled this time, as it's already been revealed that season four is the end. For what it's

tvseriesfinale.com

Compared to Walkers premiere:
.485k/.06 viewers

Walker had an average viewer count of.506k/.06 average.

Compared to All American premiere:
.367k//.11 viewers

AA had an average viewer count of .397k/.09

The CW 2023-24 TV Season Ratings (updated 10/1/2024)

The days of the old CW network are over. Last season, Nexstar took over running the smallest broadcast network and most of the network's remaining

tvseriesfinale.com

 

[Sithborg]

Well, that was a fantastic premiere. Not gonna lie, I kind of had to take a little break after episode one before I could watch episode 2.

As Venom worthy as the past Lex wig was, Sarah's sudden bangs through me through a loop. I almost didn't recognize her in her first scene. They better give Clark the mullet when he returns.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Well, that was a fantastic premiere. Not gonna lie, I kind of had to take a little break after episode one before I could watch episode 2.

As Venom worthy as the past Lex wig was, Sarah's sudden bangs through me through a loop. I almost didn't recognize her in her first scene. They better give Clark the mullet when he returns.

@Snow Queen did not have this issue.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I finally watched it and I was NOT prepared for that Holo Clark at the end. Lex stomping the heart was brutal too.

It was also a mixed bag for me, but again it's the performances from Lois and the family chemistry that makes this show so good IMO.

Also found it funny that it took Lex only one confrontation with Jordan in a mask to realize who he was, yet everyone is shocked as hell when they find out unmasked Supes is Clark.

 

[Herolee10]

Realistically speaking, you would think that Lex would go after Bruno and his family for their part in his incarceration.

 

[Dark Raven]

Was an emotional first two episodes, particularly the 2nd one. Where are John Henry Irons and Natalie supposed to be though? Or Chrissy? Or even Lana's ex husband?

And why does this Lex look like White Supremacist Lex?

 

[signalman]

Lex flashback with the big hair reminds of the Lex Luthor II clone from the comics.

 

[The Caped Knight]

 

[Dark Raven]

Since Luthor knows Clark's secret and could still use it against Lois Lane, how can this be resolved? Is it enough for him to go to prison? Maybe he'll have to end up dying by the series' end?

 

[Dr.]

Since Luthor knows Clark's secret and could still use it against Lois Lane, how can this be resolved? Is it enough for him to go to prison? Maybe he'll have to end up dying by the series' end?

I think some folks were suggesting that the secret identity would be gone by the series' end.